A message from the Head of Primary School
Dear Parents and Carers
One of the rights of passage for students and parents is learning how to tell the time on an analogue clock. This is something our Mathematics curriculum covers a number of times, however, it is one aspect of schooling that help from home makes a huge difference.
These days as digital displays are so ubiquitous, the art of reading analogue clocks offers a unique blend of benefits for young minds. This skill not only enhances mathematical reasoning as children learn to calculate intervals of time, but it also boosts their problem-solving abilities and attention to detail. Analogue clocks provide a visual representation of time passing, which is not as immediately apparent in digital displays. This visualisation helps children grasp the concept of time more naturally, encouraging a deeper understanding of its value.
Personally, I love the look of analogue watches and, as a classroom teacher, I can remember telling my students I will wear a digital watch as my daily timepiece when they see James Bond wearing one regularly (he wears an Omega since the 90's or Rolex in the older films and books if you are interested). The advent of the smart watch has very much changed what is worn by young adults and this too has brought some difficulties for schooling, on top of less practice reading an analogue clock in general.
Smart watches are expensive and the life of a watch on the wrist of a school aged child is tough. They get bumped, chipped, scratched and painted. They also get lost. As a result of this, children are very concerned about what will happen to them, the person responsible and the well-being of their smart watch. We also have instances of parents contacting their children during the day via the device, as well as the reverse, rather than calling in through Student Services. Smart watches are far more engaging than basic digital or analogue watches but can be distracting in the classroom. This is quite problematic for the teachers and the school. If a child does wear a smart watch to school, it is important that it is set to school mode during school hours so that it cannot make or receive communications.
Personally, I am lobbying children to bring back the old school Casio watches if they want a digital alternative to analogue watches. Cheap, indestructible and soon to be fashionable again. You may see the calculator watch make a come back too!
Mark Douglas
Head of Primary School